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    Capital One Recruiters’ 5 Resume Tips for Students

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    It’s time to boil down your college experience into a one-page document that sells who you are to a stranger. Where do you list your major? How do you summarize your invigorating internship or great part-time job? What kind of file should my resume be?

    We know it can be intimidating putting together your resume. Thankfully, Nyla Walker and Olutoyin Asubiojo, recruiters for our Students & Grads programs, are here to help. Check out their answers to five common resume questions that will help you build a career with real impact.

    Q: Should I make my resume one page?

    Nyla: Yes. Recruiters only look at resumes for about six seconds, so we need to find your information quickly. You’ll eventually get to a point in your career where you can have a longer resume but stick to one page while you’re a student or recent grad.

    Q: How should I organize my resume?

    Olutoyin: Put your school, major and graduation date at the top of your resume so we can figure out which of our programs best match your skills and start date. You can also add relevant coursework, research and academic honors.

    Your jobs, internships and leadership roles should come next—in chronological order—giving us a glimpse at your relevant experience. Finally, you can have a separate section toward the bottom of your resume for extracurriculars like sports, volunteering and hobbies. 

    Q: How do I describe my experiences?

    Nyla: Use vivid descriptions, ranges or scales that show off your achievements, contributions and key results. Go deeper than listing a job description. Share how you improved parts of the company you worked for, and make connections between the job you want and the job you have. 

    If you’re a cashier, tell us you’re a mathematician extraordinaire and share how you can solve problems quickly. Maybe you worked in retail and organized a sales event. That’s project management. You’ll find ways to tweak your resume for each opportunity you’re applying for.

    Q: How should I format my resume?

    Olutoyin: Save it as a PDF. This guarantees your resume format will look the same on different computers.

    Q: Where can I get help preparing my resume and application?

    Olutoyin: Visit our events page for information on workshops about resume building, explaining your career journey, interview preparation and more.  More

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      in Career Hacks

      The Perfect Resume Guide From Expert Recruiters

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      As job-hunting experts, we’ve heard every kind of resume advice you can imagine. We’ve partnered with companies in various industries looking to find candidates for thousands of roles and through this work, we’ve identified the golden standard for resume writing.

      In our recent Job Searching 101 event, we spoke with leaders from L’Oréal, KPMG, and VISA to hear their words about what an ideal resume looks like. In our conversations, these industry leaders emphasized 5 key factors you should always consider and pay special attention to when writing your resume.

      What’s The Best Resume Layout?

      First and foremost, when it comes to the layout of your resume, you need to make sure it is one page only. Unless you’re an industry veteran and there really is no way to fit 10 years of experience on one sheet, one page is all you will need.

      Additionally, candidates should make sure their resume layout looks simple and clean. Yes, that means no funny fonts or images! Unless you are applying to a position that requires a headshot (like acting or modeling), an image will only distract from the content you are presenting. Always stick to Ariel or Times New Roman in either 11 or 12 sizes. Lastly, make sure you’re writing in the proper tense and starting each bullet point with a verb.

      Here are the correct and incorrect ways to talk about a past experience as a marketing intern:

      Incorrect – In my job as a marketing intern, I assist in social media strategy, SEO research, and web development.

      Correct – Assisted in social media strategy, SEO research, and web development that resulted in a 10% increase in organic site traffic. 

      Use the Job Description

      A resume should never be a copy-and-paste situation when it comes to applying to multiple jobs. This being the case, every resume should be written with the job in mind. The easiest way to do this is to use the job description to guide your resume.

      Without copying it, pull some keywords from the description to customize your resume for the job you’re applying to. If a job description requires you to do something like “categorize, organize, and file data in a neat way,” it would be beneficial to describe some of your past experiences using the same verbiage.

      Not all the jobs you’re interested in require the same exact skill set, so it’s important to evaluate what each description is looking for and align your past experiences in a similar way.

      Contact Information

      A lot of candidates might not think this is a priority, but the contact information on resumes is a section that needs to be dialed and 100% accurate and reliable. Starting with your email, you need to make sure you have a professional name and it’s going to an inbox you regularly check. That means you’re going to have to do away with your childhood email (skaterdude1999 and soccerrulez nameplates are no-go’s) and make sure you are staying on top of incoming messages. A great email address to use professionally can be: Firstname.LastName@____, First initialLastName@____, you get the point!

      Recruiters have shared stories in the past of candidates who didn’t hear about interviews or sometimes even job offers because they left emails unresponded. Don’t let this be you! Furthermore, if you are graduating soon, don’t rely on your school email to communicate about jobs because your university could shut it off any day. 

      If you’re going to include a phone number on your resume, make sure it’s an active line and the voicemail is set up and professional. While it’s not as common, recruiters and employers have used phone numbers to reach candidates who are sometimes unresponsive to emails.

      If they can’t reach you, how are they supposed to hire you?

      Leveraging Job Experience

      For early career candidates and people just starting their professional careers, you may not have a lot of legitimate experience to portray your skills. If this sounds like you, your best option is to hone in on volunteer projects, early leadership roles, or any other extracurriculars you might have been involved in (clubs, sports, and organizations).

      Next, we would direct you to the tip we mentioned earlier about using the job description to guide the way you explain your past experiences. Maybe you volunteered at a homeless shelter and you’re applying for a finance role – two things that don’t really line up together. Your job is to find the connection there. For example, maybe you realized the necessity for financial regulation and resources after seeing poverty up close. Or, you learned how to foster meaningful relationships and make contributions to an organization or place.

      9 times out of 10 there will be some sort of way to draw a connection from past experiences to the job you’re applying for. What you don’t want to do is write down job experiences on your resume that are flat and have nothing to do with the industry, career, or job that you’re submitting the application to.

      The Review Stage

      Last but not least in the resume writing process is the review stage. When it comes to getting your resume reviewed, try to get as many eyes on it as possible. Show it to your friends, show it to your mom, bring it to the career center, share it with a professor, and if you’re feeling bold enough, reach out to someone from the company you’re applying to and ask them what they think about it. This shows eagerness and can make you stand out in the crowd.

      Candidates spend hours and sometimes even days or weeks trying to perfect their resumes. Getting a fresh set of eyes on it will help you spot some things you might have missed.

      The most important aspect of the reviewal stage is that it never ends. After every time someone reviews, after every job application, find ways to adjust and improve your resume. 

      If you follow these tips, then you are one more step closer to securing the job you’ve been waiting for. A job that loves you as much as you love it. Keep up with more job advice, resume tips, and career news at the WayUp community hub. More

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      in Career Hacks

      Dell Technologies Reveals 5-Step Process to Land a Job (Event Review)

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      You’ve heard resume and interview tips from friends, you’ve heard them from teachers, and you might have even heard them from people who claim to be job acquisition experts. But there is one particular group of people who will be able to provide resume and interview tips that are more valuable than everyone else’s, and that’s the person who is responsible for hiring you.

      Unfortunately, people don’t really get the chance to ask employers what they consider a good interviewer to be or for tips on their resumes, at least not until the opportunity to get a job has sailed.

      That’s why we did it for you. 

      In our recent virtual event with Dell Technologies, we heard from the $100 billion, multinational tech company regarding what they are looking for on resumes and how to nail their interview process. Leading the virtual event was Human Resources Rotation Program Manager, Megan Evangelista, who offered her invaluable insight regarding resume tips and interview advice.

      If you didn’t make the virtual event, that’s ok! The following are a few golden nuggets from Megan’s 5-step guide to help you land a job at Dell Technologies.

      1. Resume 101

      The first and most important tool you’ll need to sharpen for the application process is your resume. As Megan explained it, your resume is “that teaser trailer, that coming attraction opportunity for you to talk about yourself, your experiences, and get your reader excited and more importantly curious to hear more about you.”

      Megan went on to detail how it isn’t enough just to list skills on your resume. Anyone can say they are analytical, detail-oriented, and a leader, but it’s how you describe your experiences and how those skills come to life that really proves you possess them.

      Additionally, the way in which you organize and prepare your resume will go a long way as well.

      2. Interview Prep

      Once you have your resume locked down and prepared, you can move on to the interview preparation part. During the virtual event, Megan explained that the first and most important thing to do is research your audience. Reflecting on a past experience, Meg spoke about the bad impression it left when a candidate didn’t know anything about Dell.

      “When I was a recruiter, there was nothing more disheartening to me than when I’d meet a student, and they were really excited, and then they would say, ‘so, what does Dell do?’”Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

      In addition to researching the company, it is crucial to know your resume, understand the role’s responsibilities, and lastly, prepare some questions to ask your interviewer that show you have an active interest in the position and did your research!

      Finally, make sure you try to get a grasp on some of the questions they may ask you during the interview. Some of these questions might have to do with communication, analytical skills, technical skills, teamwork, or your work ethic, so be prepared with examples from all categories.

      3. Practice

      One thing that a lot of candidates tend to skip over or forget to do is practice, starting with your elevator pitch. A good elevator pitch will include your name, major and class year, education and character highlights, what your ideal role is, and why you want to apply for the company (Dell). 

      The next thing you want to do is prepare examples for questions you might be asked. What Megan suggests using is the EAR method – example, action, result – when creating answers to questions.  

      “If you’re going through an interview you’re probably not terribly relaxed so it’s a great structure to rely on when you’re responding to those sort of questions.” Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

      Lastly, you want to rehearse. Grab a friend or family member and ask them to listen to your elevator pitch or to ask you some interview questions. Record yourself or even do it in front of a mirror until it feels natural. The more you test your preparedness the more at ease you will feel when the interview comes around!

      4. Execute

      The day of the interview has arrived and now it’s time to put your skills and all the preparation to the test. While the main theme of the execution phase is preparation, scenarios will differ if you are doing a virtual or in-person interview.

      If it is in-person, you’ll want to remember to dress professionally, arrive early (15 minutes minimum), turn off your phone, and bring extra copies of your resume. If it is virtual, you’ll also want to dress professionally, turn off your phone, and log in 15 minutes early, but you’ll also want to double-check your WiFi connection and ensure you’re in a quiet space without distractions. 

      “Finding a quiet space and taking a moment to breathe before you meet with anyone and really recenter yourself can really go a long way. So think about what centering and calming looks like for you and then make sure you’re prepared in advance.” Megan Evangelista, HR Rotation Program Manager

      5. Follow up

      Although many candidates may feel that a follow-up message is optional, in some cases, it could be the difference between someone saying “yes, let’s bring them in for another conversation” or “eh, we’ve seen enough.” 

      In her experience as a recruiter, Megan made the point that although “it sounds very intuitive and maybe even a little bit old-fashioned to send thank you notes,” she can guarantee that they go a really long way and aren’t as commonly sent as you might think! 

      Megan even recounted an instance when she was considering five different candidates for a role and the only one that sent her a follow-up email was the one that ended up getting the job. During the virtual event, Megan also provided us with a great template to use when sending a follow-up.

      Summary

      This 5-step guide to help you get a job at Dell Technologies can more or less be boiled down to three main features – preparation, practice, and execution. If you’re interested in getting a job at one of the most coveted technology companies in the world you will make this guide your bible and make sure you exercise those three features religiously.

      If you do, you might just find yourself in the job of your dreams.

      Dell Technologies Summer Series features virtual events that walk through early development tips, tricks, and skills to build your career early. More

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      in Career Hacks

      3 Easy Resume Tips And Tricks From A Entry-Level Recruiting Expert

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      “Whenever I get a stack of resumes, I throw half of them in the trash. I sure don’t want unlucky people on my team,” said no hiring manager ever…but sometimes it can feel that way when you’re hunting for jobs. 
      Since the advent of online job applications, candidates have experienced the resume black hole: You spend hours submitting your resume to hundreds of positions only to maybe hear back from a couple. WayUp was actually created to stop this cycle. Whether you’re a student applying to internships, a recent grad looking for entry-level jobs, or have been forced to find a new position due to the pandemic, this guide is here to help! 
      A well-written resume is the most important tool job seekers have in standing out to recruiters and building a network. With the job market flooded by candidates recently laid off due to the pandemic, catching a recruiter’s eye with an effective resume is now more important than ever. 
      How To Format Your Resume
      The first item anyone should see on your resume is your name, and the font size should reflect that. Your name should not take up a quarter of the page but a moderately larger bolded font will serve nicely in helping recruiters remember you. After your name a contact section including an email, phone number, and LinkedIn link are necessities. 
      Sometimes a different version of Word will show a resume formatted differently. If your resume is in the wrong format, your chances of hearing back are low. Avoid this by only sending in your resume as a PDF file. This ensures that the recruiter will receive the resume formatted as you like it and will help any HR software they’re using to scan your resume easily.
      Your resume should be no longer than one page. A recent graduate with two to five years of experience should not require more than a one-page resume. A great strategy used by candidates today is to have your fully fleshed out LinkedIn profile link included, which can show off a greater depth of experiences and info. Most recruiters will receive your resume electronically and if they are interested in you, they can easily click the LinkedIn profile for more information. 
      How To Describe Your Experience 
      The name of the game when describing your experience is to summarize not list. 
      For each role, present the concrete contributions you made to your past teams, using measurable metrics if possible.  For example:

      “Drove $5000 in new business while remaining under budget”

      Anything else that you feel is important for recruiters to know—but doesn’t fit into fewer than five bullets—should be relegated to your trusty LinkedIn profile. 
      The XYZ formula is a great way to display your experiences. Phrasing bullet points as such: Accomplished X as measured by Y, by doing Z. This helps keep your bullets concise and full of valuable information.
      Another important step in any applicant’s process should be to review the job description and do whatever possible to highlight the most relevant experience or skills you have. Having a running document of your recent experiences can be helpful in choosing which fit most with the position. Remember not to list your experience, but to summarize your accomplishments. 
      In A Rush? Don’t Make Sloppy Mistakes
      If you are a recent graduate looking for your first entry-level role or one of the many individuals who lost their job due to the pandemic, then you’re probably quickly applying to a lot of companies. The most important advice for ensuring a good resume, and the advice most often forgotten is to check for spelling and grammar mistakes. 
      Recent graduates and candidates eager for a new opportunity can allow their excitement for a new role to cloud their attention to detail. Before you share your resume with recruiters, have a friend or family member read it over. It might be the only thing separating you from being the perfect candidate! 
      Was your internship opportunity canceled because of the pandemic? Looking for valuable ways to gain experience outside of an internship? Check out our Go-To Guide To Growing Your Career This Summer Without An Internship

      Recruitment operations expert at WayUp. Gabriel Cohn used to write about music and live entertainment – now he helps college students and recent graduates get their dream jobs. Special thanks to Jim Leahy Director of Human Resources at WayUp. More

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      in Career Hacks

      A Go-To Guide To Growing Your Career This Summer Without An Internship

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      For students, summer is a time of relaxation and reflection. It’s also a great opportunity to build on their education with experiences they may not have had time for during the school year. For many, this experience is provided by a summer internship, but that’s not the only way. 
      Here are a few strategies students and new grads are using to build up their resumes and create some talking points for future interviews. 
      1. Volunteer
      Community service is as important as ever and can easily showcase your commitment to both personal and community growth. In the midst of COVID-19, families who have never been in need are seeking support. Volunteering at your local food bank or meal delivery service can make a huge impact on your community and resume. Check out volunteer apps like Deed for easy ways to get involved. If an office or professional environment is a must, look toward non-profits, health care organizations, or political campaigns. In many instances, these volunteer opportunities provide the same experiences as paid internships. 
      2. Become A Virtual Tutor  
      This summer, students from elementary school all the way through college are looking to have a safe and productive summer. A great way to help make this possible for them, while also being productive and safe yourself, is to apply to remote tutoring positions with organizations like Varsity Tutors or Care.com. There’s a great social impact to tutoring, too: You’ll help to prepare this generation of students for the future. 
      Plus, tutoring can provide you with professional development opportunities, a flexible schedule, and a summer income.
      3. Contribute To Positive Change
      College students around the world are taking the summer to educate themselves on what is important to them or to learn a new perspective that they can share with their community. Creating grassroots fundraisers and book clubs are great ways for students to raise awareness and money for causes they care about. Students can also tap into larger movements across the globe through websites like DoSomething.org and Change.org and others which help to mobilize young people in the fight for equal rights. 
      4. Improve Yourself With Online Courses
      Summer courses are a great way to get ahead for the upcoming semester, work on what you know needs improvement, or expand your future career. Online summer courses are a great option to improve yourself while classes are not being held in person or internships have been canceled. Online learning partners like Pathstream, Emeritus, or Springboard offer certificate classes that prepare students for a career in a high-demand digital environment. This is a great opportunity to stand out while adding to your resume and skills! 
      5. Start A Side Hustle And Write About It On LinkedIn
      No matter what you choose, showing an eagerness to gain transferable skills and achieve your financial goals outside of traditional office work are great ways to demonstrate your drive to employers. 
      If you do not have an internship this summer, then create your own career-growing, wallet-fattening opportunity! Social media makes it easy for students to leverage their networks to expand their online presence. House-sitting, lawn mowing, and selling old clothes or textbooks you no longer need are all great ways to start. Be creative! 
      Documenting your progress for your network with posts and images keeps you in the front of their minds if new opportunities arise. You can also find new connections to help grow your side hustle!
      Written by: Gabriel CohnRecruiting Operations Associate at WayUp More